How to Grow Aronia (Chokeberry) | Planting and Growing Aronia Berries

Learn how to grow Aronia. Growing aronia berries (Chokeberries) plant is easy. It is grown for its ornamental appearance and healthy and juicy fruits that have positive health effects: Aronia berries lower the blood pressure, cleanse the toxins, as well as strengthen the walls of blood vessels.

What is Aronia

Aronia, which is also called as chokeberry is a small shrub native to Eastern North America that offers acidic, delicious edible berries. It also attracts birds that love to eat berries.

USDA Zones — 3 to 8

Difficulty — Easy

Other Names — Aronia melanocarpa

Family — Rosaceae

Height — 1.5 to 3 m

Exposure — Full Sun

Soil — 5 to 8, slightly acidic to neutral

Foliage — Deciduous

Planting Aronia

Instead of growing chokeberries (Aronia) from seeds, buy a plant from nursery that is at least 2 years old. Ideal time for planting aronia berries is between spring to early fall, when the ground remains frost free.

By planting a mature plant you’ll get fruits within a year.

How to grow Aronia Berries

Chokeberry is resistant to frost and withstand even -40 F (-40 ° C). It grows on almost all kind of soil type with pH ranging from 5 to 8 but grows best when level pH level stays around 6.5.

Once established, it is moderately drought tolerant in summer. It does not like to be waterlogged but needs water when soil is dry, also when plant is young or fruiting. It is a self-pollinating tree that loves sun, however it grows in partial shade too.

Care

Regular pruning is important in the cultivation of chokeberry. Prune to remove dead and weak branches every year to promote growth and more fruits.

Fertilization it often unnecessary for chokeberries, nevertheless if soil is poor or plant needs a boost balanced fertilizer can be applied in spring.

Facts and Information on Aronia (Chokeberry)

During the time of flowering in April or when chokeberry sets fruit in summer it offers a beautiful general appearance.

It is also loved for its flamboyant fall foliage.

This shrub has lovely edible black berries that are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C.